It Was Just One of Those Nights

Ever try to take on a task that seems simple and it turns out that you are about to get a good 'ole kick in the butt? You are probably lying if you tell me "no". This time I was about to embark on the task of what was a simple gear replacement on a vintage 1970s Mercedes C-111, on the motor in particular. I also had to do some other minor stuff. Re-solder some connection, clean corrosion, typical work. Well...follow along and you'll see when I'm at now...

First..the car, my step-dad's vintage Mercedes C-111. The car is in decent condition, needing only minor work,so it appears. My step-dad found the missing yellow wheels when he went cleaning by himself. Notice how it and all my other "patients" are now labeled with what needs fixed? IT IS THAT BAD!
[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2158.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2159.jpg[/IMG]

Headlight wires retaped and the chassis and underbody cleaned.
[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2160.jpg[/IMG]

Corrosion to clean and wires to resolder..I've seen much worse!
[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2161.jpg[/IMG]

Now, as I try to replace the gear that I lost trying to diagnose the problem in the first place, I find something wrong as I test the car...the wheels are starting to slip...and wobble. So I open up the transmission inside this thing and lo and behold...the axle has a slight bend to it, two of the key gears iside are cracked and slipping, and the attic dust has got the better of it. In a nut shell, I need to find two more gears and totally rebuild the whole transmission inside this toy. THATS THE THIRD ONE YET!
[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2162.jpg[/IMG]

Luckily, they're common pieces.
[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2163.jpg[/IMG]

Repair label corrected:
[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2164.jpg[/IMG]

I was so hoping to get some space back on my desk. Phooey!

I had one of those first time in a real long time since I've seen one

[QUOTE=Broilermaker;487811]I had one of those first time in a real long time since I've seen one[/QUOTE]

Yea, as I looked at the way the car was built, I can guess not many are still around. We might keep it after it is repaired...or I know a very close friend in town who is a Mercedes and BMW NUT!

If it matters at all, here is the item that gave up its parts...a busted pencil sharpener.

[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2114.jpg[/IMG]

It was stubborn so I crushed the thing in my vise and let the plastic fly! Here is the perfctly good motor and gear I salvaged. The motor might work for a 1980s semi I have (it can be seen in the first pic at the top, parked next to the C-111.)

[IMG]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/rlfan1/Restorations/Mercedes%20C-111/2115.jpg[/IMG]